Conflicted GOP supports trade bill

WASHINGTON 
A popular tariff reduction bill has cleared the House after Republican opposition to the measure wilted.

Republican leaders had pushed for lawmakers to vote against the tariff bill, saying that reducing tariffs for certain U.S. industries violated the GOP's self-imposed moratorium on all special interest earmarks.

But the legislation had strong support from Republican allies in the business community, which said it supported tens of thousands of jobs, and in the end, a majority of Republicans and all but one Democrat voted for it. It passed on a vote of 378-43.

The bill would reduce or suspend tariffs on 639 items, mostly chemicals and other components used in manufacturing processes. The last time it came up, in 2006, it passed 412-2. It now must be considered by the Senate.